Peak Season: June 1 – August 2

American Red Snapper is an awesome and delicious fish to catch here in Florida.  They are a highly regulated and managed fish species with only a short season to target and catch. Only federally permitted vessels can legally go after them. Pelagic Color is your best choice of professional charter that has the right permits.

Red Snapper are a very powerful fish that put up great fights for their size. They can be found in reefs or rocks and will try to break you off the moment you hook them by retreating back to cover. In this area, they average about 30 pounds in size. They go for live bait placed just outside of their hiding spots where they will come out for a moment to chase their food.

Red Snappers have strong teeth and are very tough. They require a medium to heavy setup rated at about 30+lbs or more depending on size of the fish. They can be caught using squid or live bait in shallow water near rocks, using a very tight drag so they don’t run on you. If you have too much slack in the line, then the line will break in the rocks when they retreat. Because their mouths are small, we use small chunks of baitfish for best results.

Red Snapper has a firm texture and a sweet, nutty flavor that works great with hot chilies or subtle herbs. The whole snapper can be broiled, grilled, pan-fried, steamed, baked, or deep-fried. Red snapper has a mild taste that does not taste ‘fishy’, so it’s ideal for kids and people who prefer mild-flavored food. Red Snappers are packed with Vitamin A, selenium, Omega-3 fatty acids and potassium, which stimulate cognitive functions and boosts health of the nervous system. Brain food!